Social Science

Cognitive Biases and Decision Making

1,902 Questions

Explore a curated set of questions on cognitive biases, decision making, and behavioral economics. These concepts evaluate how social norms, emotions, and heuristics influence human judgment and group behavior. Master these topics to build a strong foundation for psychology and social science exams.

Behavioral economicsSocial group influencesEmotional decision makingConfirmation bias

Cognitive Biases and Decision Making Questions

Multiple choice

What is the endowment effect?

  1. The tendency to place a higher value on objects that we own.

  2. The tendency to overestimate the value of our own possessions.

  3. The tendency to be more willing to sell an object if we have a higher purchase price for it.

  4. The tendency to be more willing to buy an object if we have a lower purchase price for it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The endowment effect is the tendency to place a higher value on objects that we own, even if they are objectively worth less than what we paid for them.

Multiple choice

What is the framing effect?

  1. The tendency to make different decisions depending on how the options are presented.

  2. The tendency to overestimate the value of our own possessions.

  3. The tendency to be more willing to sell an object if we have a higher purchase price for it.

  4. The tendency to be more willing to buy an object if we have a lower purchase price for it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The framing effect is the tendency to make different decisions depending on how the options are presented, even if the underlying options are the same.

Multiple choice

What is the status quo bias?

  1. The tendency to prefer the current state of affairs, even if it is not the best option.

  2. The tendency to overestimate the value of our own possessions.

  3. The tendency to be more willing to sell an object if we have a higher purchase price for it.

  4. The tendency to be more willing to buy an object if we have a lower purchase price for it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The status quo bias is the tendency to prefer the current state of affairs, even if it is not the best option, because it is familiar and comfortable.

Multiple choice

What is the decoy effect?

  1. The tendency to choose an option that is clearly inferior to another option.

  2. The tendency to overestimate the value of our own possessions.

  3. The tendency to be more willing to sell an object if we have a higher purchase price for it.

  4. The tendency to be more willing to buy an object if we have a lower purchase price for it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The decoy effect is the tendency to choose an option that is clearly inferior to another option, when a third option is introduced that is even worse.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for people to focus on negative information and experiences?

  1. Negativity Bias

  2. Positivity Bias

  3. Confirmation Bias

  4. Illusion of Control

  5. Optimism Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Negativity Bias refers to the tendency for individuals to pay more attention to and remember negative information compared to positive information.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for people to overestimate their ability to control events?

  1. Illusion of Control

  2. Optimism Bias

  3. Confirmation Bias

  4. Negativity Bias

  5. Positivity Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Illusion of Control refers to the tendency for individuals to believe they have more control over outcomes than they actually do.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for people to remember positive experiences more vividly and for a longer duration than negative experiences?

  1. Positivity Bias

  2. Negativity Bias

  3. Confirmation Bias

  4. Illusion of Control

  5. Optimism Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Positivity Bias refers to the tendency for individuals to remember and focus on positive experiences more than negative ones.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for people to believe that good things are more likely to happen to them than to others?

  1. Optimism Bias

  2. Negativity Bias

  3. Confirmation Bias

  4. Illusion of Control

  5. Positivity Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Optimism Bias refers to the tendency for individuals to believe that they are less likely to experience negative events and more likely to experience positive events compared to others.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and disregard information that contradicts them?

  1. Confirmation Bias

  2. Negativity Bias

  3. Positivity Bias

  4. Illusion of Control

  5. Optimism Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Confirmation Bias refers to the tendency for individuals to seek out information that supports their existing beliefs and disregard information that contradicts them.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for people to overestimate the likelihood of negative events occurring?

  1. Negativity Bias

  2. Positivity Bias

  3. Confirmation Bias

  4. Illusion of Control

  5. Optimism Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Negativity Bias refers to the tendency for individuals to overestimate the likelihood of negative events occurring and underestimate the likelihood of positive events occurring.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for people to believe that they have more control over events than they actually do?

  1. Illusion of Control

  2. Optimism Bias

  3. Confirmation Bias

  4. Negativity Bias

  5. Positivity Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Illusion of Control refers to the tendency for individuals to believe that they have more control over outcomes than they actually do.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency to view disability as a personal tragedy rather than a social issue?

  1. The medical model of disability

  2. The social model of disability

  3. The tragedy of disability

  4. The normalcy bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The tragedy of disability is the idea that disability is a tragic and unfortunate occurrence that should be avoided at all costs.

Multiple choice

Which term refers to the tendency to view disability as something that is abnormal and should be fixed?

  1. The medical model of disability

  2. The social model of disability

  3. The tragedy of disability

  4. The normalcy bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The normalcy bias is the tendency to view disability as something that is abnormal and should be fixed.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the psychological phenomenon in which people tend to overestimate the likelihood of rare events and underestimate the likelihood of common events?

  1. Availability heuristic

  2. Representativeness heuristic

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Framing effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The availability heuristic is the psychological phenomenon in which people tend to overestimate the likelihood of rare events and underestimate the likelihood of common events.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the psychological phenomenon in which people tend to believe that their own behavior is more environmentally friendly than the behavior of others?

  1. Social desirability bias

  2. Self-serving bias

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Framing effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The self-serving bias is the psychological phenomenon in which people tend to believe that their own behavior is more environmentally friendly than the behavior of others.